House For The Holidays The Vanderbilts Knew How To Capture That Traditional Christmas Atmosphere. And At The Biltmore House, It Can Still Be Experienced.

December 13, 1991|From staff reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- During the 19th century, a cottage industry was developing in Germany that would forever change the way Americans celebrate Christmas. Tucked away in small villages such as Dresden and Lauscha, German glass blowers were creating delicate colored and crystal-clear glass ornaments that would soon be the rage during the holiday season.

Even retail mogul F.W. Woolworth failed to anticipate the public`s interest in the small inventory of Christmas ornaments he purchased in Germany in 1880. He placed them on a shelf in his store, then watched as they quickly disappeared.

Soon, these imported ornaments were on Christmas trees in almost every home -- including America`s largest private residence, Biltmore House in Asheville.

Guests who visit George Vanderbilt`s 255-room chateau during the holidays often are struck by the unique decorations, which at first glance may seem rather contemporary or non-traditional. But the decorations seen today are truly traditional, re-creating Christmas as it was nearly 100 years ago when Vanderbilt first opened his home on Christmas Eve in 1895.

``A lot of the holiday decorating traditions used in America today are rooted in the Victorian era,`` says Biltmore Estate floral designer Cathy Barnhardt. ``Christmas trees became popular in the mid-19th century and, naturally, Christmas dressings, as they were once called, followed suit.``

Though popular, glass ornaments were still a novelty at the turn of the century and were often hung side by side with an overwhelming array of hand- crafted decorations and homemade edibles. The result was a dazzling display of globes, ribbons, doilies, dried flowers and paper-cup cornucopias.

``More was always better in the late 1800s,`` Barnhardt says.

Using archival records and period literature, Barnhardt has, for 15 years, undertaken the task of re-creating an old-fashioned holiday atmosphere in Biltmore House.

Some things never change, like the fresh-cut, 40-foot Fraser fir tree with hundreds of wrapped presents nestled among the boughs and twinkling electric lights.

On many of the other 25 live trees that adorn Biltmore House during the holidays, Barnhardt duplicates the look of candles by attaching tiny white lights to candle clips.

The style and decor of each room helps dictate the theme of the tree. The Morning Salon, for example, is decked out in holiday finery reflecting the elegance of its French style. Tiny dried flowers are used in whimsical topiaries and nosegays, complementing lace fans and silk ribbons. The dark walnut-panelled Library is festooned with greenery decorated with wine- and champagne-colored moire bows.

The Winter Garden boasts a dramatic display of poinsettias. All told, 1,500 red and white poinsettias are used in Biltmore House, along with 450 red velvet bows, 10,000 feet of evergreen roping, nearly 200 elaborate wreaths and thousands of imported hand-blown glass or hand-crafted ornaments.

Guests who make reservations for Candlelight Christmas evenings get their first glimpse of Biltmore House as it is illuminated by 500 luminarias placed along the esplanade. Candles are lighted throughout the manor, and the fireplaces cast a warm glow. Mingled with the scent of evergreens, cloves and cinnamon is the smell of roasting meat on the rotisserie.

CHRISTMAS AT BILTMORE

Biltmore`s holiday season extends through Dec. 31. The estate is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be closed on Christmas Day. Candlelight evenings will be held Wednesdays through Sundays through Dec. 31, although the house will close at 5 p.m. Dec. 24 and 31. Candlelight evenings include continuous musical performances by choirs, soloists and instrumentalists, scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets for daytime visits are $19.95 for adults and $15 for students aged 12 to 17. Admission for candlelight evenings is $25 for adults and $21 for students. Children age 11 and younger are admitted free when accompanied by a paying parent. Admission to the estate, which is private and self-funded, includes Biltmore House, gardens and winery.

Biltmore Estate is located near the intersection of Interstates 26 and 40. Entrance is three blocks north of Exit 50 or 50B on Interstate 40. Year-round, the estate is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year`s Day.

For more information, contact The Biltmore Company, One North Pack Square, Asheville, N.C. 28801, or phone 1-800-543-2961. Candlelight Christmas reservations may be made by calling 1-800-289-1895.